The Valiha is a traditional instrument of Madagascar made from a local bamboo. It’s often characterized as the country’s national instrument. Here it is played by Linda Volahasiniaina, a Malagasy musician and composer.   [Read more…]

From an interview by Daniela Galvez in Latina:

Daniela Galvez: Your single “Peligrosa” is all about women empowerment. Can you tell us a little bit about that?

Lila Downs: I think that it’s the notion that women are somehow dangerous if they’re leaders, if they think, if they have certain desires, and ambitions. It’s also the notion of looking at men in those same positions. Of course, they’re not dangerous; they’re just a normal guy. I think that it’s about those relationships that we had, that we’re not quite sure what we’re dealing with. I think that’s happening right now. I mean in government and in day-to-day life. It’s a confrontational time and it’s scary. At the same time, I feel like it’s a moment when finally women are really coming out and being more forward about the injustices towards our gender. This is really important. So it’s exciting and that’s what the song is kind of about.   [Read more…]

Sister Rosetta Tharpe—often called the Godmother of Rock and Roll—performing in Manchester, England in 1964, as part of The British Tours of “The American Folk Blues Festival”. This video showcases her rendition of Didn’t It Rain as well as Trouble in Mind.

This year Sister Rosetta Tharpe will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Class of 2018 on April 14th, in the category of Early Influences. BBC reporter Chris Long relates that University of Salford’s Dr. Chris Lee says of the 1963 performance in Manchester “that a minibus came from London to that show and in it were Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Keith Richards and Brian Jones. They came all that way just to watch the concert.”   [Read more…]